Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Years of mechanism: 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Details for Mechanism ID: 10314
Country/Region: Zambia
Year: 2013
Main Partner: Chemonics International
Main Partner Program: NA
Organizational Type: Private Contractor
Funding Agency: USAID
Total Funding: $4,613,157

CSHs mission is to build capacity within Zambias government and civil society to design and implement effective national health BCC campaigns that contribute to improved care for those infected/affected by HIV, improved prevention of HIV, and reduced HIV prevalence. CSH will provide direct technical and material assistance to the National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council (NAC) in the implementation of a national comprehensive HIV communication strategy. The project will also engage civil society organizations to take these national messages down to the community level in the 27 key districts where USAID partner project ZISSP currently operates. The goal is to enhance effectiveness of NAC campaigns messaging and reach.

CSH will provide support to NAC at all stages of campaigns, including: formative research, identification of target audiences, strategy design, planning, materials development and production, implementation and management, and M&E. CSH will continue to assist with NACs routine communication activities, such as VCT Day, and with the 2-year national HIV prevention campaign called Safe Love which was launched in June 2011. The campaign focuses primarily on three key campaign topics: multiple and concurrent sexual partnerships, low and inconsistent condom use, and mother to child transmission of HIV. These topics were chosen because they are the leading drivers of HIV in Zambia and because they align with the GRZ and NACs objectives under their strategic plans. Though they wont be the main feature of the campaign, other important and relevant epidemic drivers will also be addressed such as commercial sex, gender-based sexual violence and alcohol abuse. CSH will continue to build capacity of NAC staff in BCC, M&E, and formative research.

Funding for Health Systems Strengthening (OHSS): $360,000

CSH will provide direct technical and material assistance to the National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council (NAC) in the implementation of a national comprehensive HIV communication strategy. The project will also engage civil society organizations to take these national messages down to the community level in the 27 key districts where USAID partner project ZISSP currently operates. The goal is to enhance effectiveness of NAC campaigns messaging and reach.

CSH will provide support to NAC at all stages of campaigns, including: formative research, identification of target audiences, strategy design, planning, materials development and production, implementation and management, and M&E.

Funding for Biomedical Prevention: Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (CIRC): $890,000

Zambia has been implementing voluntary male circumcision for HIV prevention since 2007 under MOH. According to the 2007 DHS only 13% of men aged 15-49 have been circumcised. The Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) program in Zambia is provided as part of a comprehensive HIV package and is integrated into male reproductive health services such as HIV, Counseling and Testing, STI, family planning and provision of condoms. The program targets males ages 13-35 years and neonates 0-2 months.

In 2011, CSH supported the development of the MC communication strategy. In 2012, CSH will support roll-out of the MC communication strategy by supporting printing of 10,000 copies and distribution through the MOH.

To increase public awareness of voluntary medical male circumcision, CSH will develop additional materials publicizing the efficacy of MC in reducing risk of HIV and STIs transmission. CSH will also work with Dziwani Resource Centre and ZISSP to distribute various print materials at district health facilities and local clinics.

8. HVCT: Counseling and Testing $756,790.17

Narrative

HIV counseling and testing (HCT) remains an essential component of Zambias HIV prevention program. However, access to CT in Zambia is not universal and coverage of services remains low in rural and hard to reach areas. According to the 2007 DHS, only 16% of adults in these areas have been counseled, tested and received results. National expansion of HCT to address the current inequitable distribution of services and hard to reach underserved communities is one of the priorities for the NASF 2011-2015. The NASF is in line with the Partnership Framework which was signed by the GRZ and USG in November 2010. In March 2011, the GRZ launched the National Guidelines for HIV CT of Children.

In 2012 through grants to 5 CSOs, CSH will support lay counselors/community volunteers to conduct one- on- one and small group discussions on the benefits of HIV counseling and testing. 38,000 people will be reached with HCT messages. Special focus will be placed on enhancing peer-counseling programs including training people living with HIV to participate as peer counselors and community mobilizers. CSH will also work with other USAID programs working in HCT such as ZPCTII by helping to develop, print and disseminate HCT IEC/BCC materials.

Funding for Sexual Prevention: Abstinence/Be Faithful (HVAB): $638,157

As part of the ongoing Safe Love Campaign the GRZ, with CSH support, will develop products and drama series story lines that promote abstinence. The project will support the GRZ through routine public health awareness activities and education, to promote abstinence as the surest method to protect against HIV infection.CSH will develop a television edutainment series which will include characters who choose to abstain. Education and awareness material, particularly for youth and adolescents, will place particular emphasis on abstinence. An estimated 15% of the Zambian youth population (estimated at 1 million youths) will be reached through multi - channel communications listed below.

Safe Love, a two-year campaign targeting men and women, ages 14-59 years in rural and urban areas, will continue to release multi-channel campaign products through 2012 and into mid-2013.

In addition, CSH will engage five civil society organizations to reach 20,000 in and out of school youths with AB-focused prevention messages in four provinces (Lusaka, central, Luapula and Copperbelt).

3. HVOP: Other Prevention $1,261,317

Narrative

Safe Love is a two-year campaign targeting men and women, ages 15-49 years in rural and urban areas. The campaign will continue to release multi-channel products through mid-2013. The prevention programs will reach estimated 30% (estimated at 2 million people) of the target population (15-49 years) in Zambia with evidence-based HIV prevention messaging.

To dispel misconceptions on how HIV is contracted, the campaign will disseminate messages through local leaders, dance, and drama to provide information on how to prevent HIV/AIDS and how gender based violence and some of the some of the social and cultural norms spread the spread of HIV. Other approaches will include use of community radio discussion programs, community and interpersonal communication through Safe Love small groups that encourage individuals, families and communities to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors and norms. Key audiences will include rural population where awareness of HIV prevention may still be low.

CSH will also engage local HIV-focused civil society organizations (CSOs) through grants for community prevention outreach programs. An estimated five grants are planned for 2012. Each CSO will train 50 community health advocates in HIV prevention approaches. Advocates will work with 150 communities to reaching an estimated 38,000 people with HIV prevention messages in 2012. An additional people will be reached through SMS messages and TV programs and PSAs.

Funding for Testing: HIV Testing and Counseling (HVCT): $300,000

HIV counseling and testing (HCT) remains an essential component of Zambias HIV prevention program. However, access to CT in Zambia is not universal and coverage of services remains low in rural and hard to reach areas. According to the 2007 DHS, only 16% of adults in these areas have been counseled, tested and received results. National expansion of HCT to address the current inequitable distribution of services and hard to reach underserved communities is one of the priorities for the NASF 2011-2015. The NASF is in line with the Partnership Framework which was signed by the GRZ and USG in November 2010. In March 2011, the GRZ launched the National Guidelines for HIV CT of Children.

In 2012 through grants to 5 CSOs, CSH will support lay counselors/community volunteers to conduct one- on- one and small group discussions on the benefits of HIV counseling and testing. 38,000 people will be reached with HCT messages. Special focus will be placed on enhancing peer-counseling programs including training people living with HIV to participate as peer counselors and community mobilizers. CSH will also work with other USAID programs working in HCT such as ZPCTII by helping to develop, print and disseminate HCT IEC/BCC materials.

Funding for Sexual Prevention: Other Sexual Prevention (HVOP): $1,250,000

Safe Love is a two-year campaign targeting men and women, ages 15-49 years in rural and urban areas. The campaign will continue to release multi-channel products through mid-2013. The prevention programs will reach estimated 30% (estimated at 2 million people) of the target population (15-49 years) in Zambia with evidence-based HIV prevention messaging.

To dispel misconceptions on how HIV is contracted, the campaign will disseminate messages through local leaders, dance, and drama to provide information on how to prevent HIV/AIDS and how gender based violence and some of the some of the social and cultural norms spread the spread of HIV. Other approaches will include use of community radio discussion programs, community and interpersonal communication through Safe Love small groups that encourage individuals, families and communities to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors and norms. Key audiences will include rural population where awareness of HIV prevention may still be low.

CSH will also engage local HIV-focused civil society organizations (CSOs) through grants for community prevention outreach programs. An estimated five grants are planned for 2012. Each CSO will train 50 community health advocates in HIV prevention approaches. Advocates will work with 150 communities to reaching an estimated 38,000 people with HIV prevention messages in 2012. An additional people will be reached through SMS messages and TV programs and PSAs.

Funding for Biomedical Prevention: Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (MTCT): $500,000

Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS is a key objective of the GRZs CSH-supported campaigns in 2012. All three currently underway CSH campaigns, the Safe Motherhood Campaign, the Safe Love campaign and the integrated Malaria, Maternal Newborn and Nutrition campaigns, will have an impact on the awareness and utilization of PMTCT interventions. The campaigns will include messages that:

Encourage facility-based birth delivery

Encourage couple counseling and testing for HIV

Emphasize the importance of post-delivery clinic visit within 48 hours

Increase demand for and use of health services

Encourage effective and timely PMTC interventions

Promote male involvement

Support the development of health worker interpersonal communications skills

As part of its outreach, CSH will engage 5 civil society organizations targeting 4 provinces; (Luapula, Central, Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces). The CSOs will reach a total of 38,000 females and males (18-49) with PMTCT messages over a period of one year. CSH will also disseminate information promoting facility-based delivery and ante-natal care through Safe Motherhood Action Groups (SMAGs).

Funding for Treatment: Adult Treatment (HTXS): $475,000

Over 900,000 adults are living with HIV in Zambia of which nearly 80,000 are the newly infected. Over 300,000 people living with HIV are on ART.

The priority strategy for ART in Zambia is to ensure universal access to treatment care and support. This will entail increase roll out of ART services to more health facilities. It is very important that patients understand the benefits of initiating treatment at the right time, adhering to treatment, and taking care of themselves while on treatment. As a communication program, CSH will increase awareness of these services and promote drug adherence and, where possible, demand for ART. CSH will develop and support community drama, radio discussion programs and production of IEC/BCC materials as part of these efforts.

CSH will also engage five CSOs through grants to implement treatment education programs at community level through door to- door campaigns to ensure PLWHAs (people living with HIV/AIDS) understand treatment protocols. 5,000 PLWHA will be reached through door- to- door campaigns.

Funding for Treatment: Pediatric Treatment (PDTX): $200,000

In 2012, CSH will work with the Ministry of Health to publicize pediatric health guidelines for the public. Campaigns will focus on messaging that contributes to increased treatment for HIV infected children 0-15 years of age. Working with the Ministry of Education and anticipated USAID programs in the education sector, the project will also address HIV in the school place and provide support for the development of communication materials that seek to reduce stigma for children living with HIV/AIDS. CSH will produce materials targeting guardians and service providers of children living with HIV/AIDS. A total of 2,500 guardians and service providers will be reached with messages on adherence through community and facility outreach programs through sub grants to 5 CSOs.

Subpartners Total: $0
ICF International: NA
Manoff Group, Inc: NA
Key Issues Identified in Mechanism
Implement activities to change harmful gender norms & promote positive gender norms
Increase gender equity in HIV prevention, care, treatment and support
Increasing women's access to income and productive resources
enumerations.Malaria (PMI)
Safe Motherhood
Family Planning